The Islamic Deveploment Bank (IsDB) on Monday, January 26, announced plans to fund a $163 million solar electrification project in Niger State, aimed at providing an alternative and reliable source of electricity for communities across the state.
The announcement was made in a statement by Bologi Ibrahim, chief press secretary to the governor of Niger state.
The project, known as the Niger State Solar Electrification Project (code-named NGA1063), is expected to cover 200 hectares and will support industrialization, enhance agricultural productivity, and drive overall economic growth in the state.
According to the statement, the $163 million initiative will generate 100 megawatts of solar power, providing consistent electricity to communities while bolstering both industrial and agricultural activities.
Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, who received the IsDB preparation team, highlighted the state’s significant investments in agriculture and said the solar project would complement these efforts by boosting food production and industrial development.
He also emphasized the pivotal role of the IsDB in Niger State’s progress, stating that the investment would increase productivity, generate revenue, and address multiple sectoral challenges.
“The project, the first of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa, will cover 200 hectares at a cost of $163 million to provide alternative power for many communities,” the statement read.
It added that the Bank’s investment would help increase productivity, generate revenue, and essentially pay for itself.
Daniyar Abylkhan, the IsDB task team lead, said the project will leverage Niger State’s abundant sunlight to generate electricity and commended the governor’s initiative to diversify energy sources.
He highlighted the Bank’s long-standing partnership with the state, noting that previous projects, including the reconstruction of the Minna–Bida road, influenced its decision to continue investing in Niger State.
The secretary to the state government, Alh. Usman Abubakar, explained that the meeting marked the start of IsDB’s project preparation process, which includes reviewing state plans with stakeholders and producing the necessary documentation for appraisal and approval.
Project consultants Umar Faruk Batagarawa and Mohammed Mahdi Abubakar noted that Niger State is uniquely positioned for solar energy due to its complementary power-generating sites.
They added that the solar project would help stabilize the national grid, complementing the state’s current 2,000-megawatt contribution, and stressed that community engagement, environmental, and social impact assessments are critical for successful implementation.
The partnership between Niger State and the IsDB follows recent initiatives by international development institutions.
The World Bank recently approved $50 million to expand solar-powered agricultural solutions in Nigeria and five other African countries, aiming to boost productivity, reduce post-harvest losses, and increase access to clean energy.
This funding will support solar-powered cold rooms, refrigerators, water pumps, and grain mills, implemented by Clasp, a Washington, DC-based non-profit focused on clean energy and efficiency.
In January 2025, Akinwumi Adesina, then-president of the African Development Bank (AfDB), announced that the AfDB and World Bank pledged $40 billion under Mission 300, aimed at providing electricity to 300 million Africans by 2030.
Niger state has recently entered several major development partnerships to boost economic and industrial growth.
One such partnership involves the federal government of Nigeria and Brazilian livestock company JBJ Brazil, working together to establish a 100,000-hectare cattle ranch intended to house 100,000 bulls and strengthen livestock production in Nigeria.
The ranch, part of a $2.5 billion investment agreement, is designed to leverage Niger State’s vast land, abundant water, and favorable climate.
The state has pledged 1.2 million hectares of land for livestock development initiatives, with 100,000 hectares earmarked for the JBJ ranch.
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